Chapter 2 Coming of age

Melissa POV With heavy footsteps, I made my way back to the Moonvalley Packhouse. I felt distinct from everything around me. The wind felt harsher across my skin, and the trees were taller. Every scent was more potent, every sound more distinct. My senses were more awake than they had ever been. "What's going on with me? I muttered to myself, uncomfortable. I could hear the voices inside the packhouse before I even got close to the door. What should have been far-off murmurs turned into open discussions. I could even distinguish the distinct, powerful smell of each member of the group.

Bewildered by the rush of feelings, I stopped at the door. Was this a result of the biting rogue? Was I evolving? I tried to relax myself by pressing my hand to my chest as my heart raced. "What about Melissa? I was startled by a voice and turned to see Lily standing close by, her worried expression on her face. "Are you alright? You observe... distinct," she remarked, scrutinizing me with narrowed eyes. "I'm not sure," I said. "I sense a change. Everything has changed since the rogue attacked me. My senses seem to have been sharpened, and I detect... more robust." Lily arched an eyebrow. More robust? That is peculiar. Perhaps you ought to speak with the elderly. They may be aware of what is happening. I agreed, but I had a feeling that this was more complicated than the elders could have explained. I had to solve it for myself at first. I moved through the packhouse's hallways, attempting to go unnoticed. Coming back here after all that had transpired at the ceremony seemed weird. Even though Dennis's rejection still hurt like an open wound, I forced myself to move past it. I heard two voices as I was walking by the meeting room: Dennis's and one that I instantly knew to be Raven, his beta. Despite the silence between them, I could hear everything they were saying thanks to my newly developed senses. Dennis stated, "Raven, you need to watch her," in a stern voice. "It is not acceptable for her to impede our plans." "Alpha, don't worry," Raven answered. "She is feeble. She won't cause any issues. I froze, paying close attention. Were they referring to me? Dennis went on, "She doesn't know yet." However, we must keep her close to us. We must prevent her from learning the truth. What's the truth? Heart pounding, I softly murmured the words. Raven gave a sinister laugh. "She won't live long enough to use it if she does." I tried to digest what I had just heard by leaning my back against the wall. They had a project in mind that would involve me. It also sounded risky. I was standing in front of Dennis's office a few hours later. It was more than I could handle. I needed to speak with him. With a little tremble in my palms, I tapped on the door. It was not long before I heard his voice. "Enter now." I opened the door and took a step inside. Dennis was seated behind his desk, staring at me with his cold blue eyes. Tension heated the air between us for a minute. He said, "Melissa," in a clipped tone. "What are you hoping to achieve?" To center myself, I inhaled deeply. "I'm looking for clarification. Why did you turn me down?" Dennis narrowed his eyes and sat back in his chair. "I have informed you. You're not strong. Instead of dragging me down, I need a Luna who would stand by my side. Though his words hurt, I didn't back down. "You don't have my trust." Dennis arched an eyebrow and smiled slightly. Why do you believe I'm lying?" I fixed my gaze on him, attempting to decipher his expression, but his face remained unreadable. "I heard you conversing with Raven. You mentioned that you must keep me near. That I am unable to learn the truth. Dennis, what truth?" Something sparked in his eyes for a moment that I couldn't quite place. It was neither harshness nor rage. Something was the case. More tender. But suddenly, in the same instant, his icy mask was back on. "You misinterpreted," he stated firmly. Melissa, you mean nothing to me. Avoid overanalyzing it. Though my heart tightened, I didn't give up. Why are you still so impacted by the mate bond if I'm nothing? Dennis, I can sense it. It's unavoidable, no matter how much you try to push me away. His jaw tensed, and I thought I caught a glimpse of pain in his eyes for a split second. However, he shook his head swiftly. "You're incorrect," he murmured. "I don't care about this bond at all." I felt offended and irritated, so I tightened my fists. "You're deceiving yourself," It seems like you have no idea what you're doing." I turned and walked out of the room, not waiting for an answer, my mind spinning with uncertainty and rage. I was called to the pack elders' quarters later that evening. I was nervous as I wondered what this was all about and made my way down the dimly illuminated hallway. Seldom would the elders summon anyone unless something significant was going on. Elder Marcus was waiting for me when I got there, his stern, unreadable face wrinkled. He motioned for me to settle in. "Melissa," he said gradually, his voice measured and quiet. "You don't know certain things about your history or your ancestry." I blinked, startled. "My ancestry? By what do you mean?" Elder Marcus looked around the other elders and then resumed his speech. "The demise of your parents was not an accident. They were a part of something far bigger that had an impact on Storm Packs and Moonvalley. I took a deep breath and felt a shiver go down my back. "What?" What do you mean?" "Your lineage is connected to a historical lineage," Elder Marcus stated solemnly. "One with extraordinary strength. A force capable of tipping the equilibrium between the packs. My heart pounded. However... I'm not sure I get it. What connection does this have to me?" Another elder raised his voice and said, "Your rejection might have been a part of a prophecy." "A forecast? I repeated, my thoughts racing. Which prophecy?" Marcus the Elder nodded. An ancient legend describes a wolf that will balance the rival packs a wolf born of both light and gloom. We think that wolf is you. I looked in shock at him. "Me? However, how? I am... Just Melissa here. I'm not powerful, I'm not "You underestimate your strength," Elder Marcus cut you off. It's possible that the rogue's attack set off a reaction in you that roused a previously dormant power in your blood. Shaking my head, I attempted to make sense of everything. But if this is the case, why would Dennis reject me? How come he wouldn't want me to be his mate?" With solemn looks, the elders looked at each other once more. Elder Marcus mutely remarked, "There are forces at work here that go beyond personal feelings." Dennis's denial might have been a component of a bigger scheme. However, we're not sure who is in charge. A vivid vision flashed before my eyes, stopping me from asking additional inquiries. I clutched my head and moaned as the images flashed through my thoughts. Standing at the edge of a pitch-black forest, I noticed my parents. Their eyes were filled with fear, and I could see the emblems of the Moonvalley Pack and the Storm Pack, two rival packs, behind them. I was stunned and left speechless as the vision vanished as fast as it had been. "What about Melissa? Elder Marcus questioned, his expression showing concern. "I... I sounded nervous as I murmured, "I saw something." "I looked at my parents. As well as the two packets. Something is there. Things I must ascertain." With glum expressions, the elders nodded. "Melissa, it looks like your journey is just getting started." I got up, my head spinning from all I had just discovered. It was all too much to take in-the vision, the prophecy, and the rejection. One thought kept coming to me as I walked out of the elders' rooms. What if all I had been told about my past was false? The vision of my parents' death lingered in my mind, along with the symbols of the two warring packs. What had they been hiding from me all this time?